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How early do you tell np to come in early for hygienist appt? Myself and other hgyienists are always behind because np only come in about 10 minutes before and have lots of paperwork. We have overheard the front desk on the phone and they say to come in about 15 minutes early so yep that is the problem and we need the full hour for possible FMX, periochart, prophy and exam. I am the newest hygienist at the office so feel like someone else should approach the 3 girls at the front desk. The Dr did say she would talk to them and tell the girls in office to tell all np 30 minutes bf appt but I dont think our boss did. There is a option to fill and print paper online but the patient will tell the front desk they will print online , so then they dont have to come in early but the patient will come in the office and say oops sorry i forgot. We know bc front desk will put notes under patients name on schedule if bringing paperwork. This happens every week !!

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7 Answers

In our office we see NP for exam, fmx, charting of existing and perio in our hygiene chair. We do not do a cleaning as we prefer to evaluate for the type of cleaning needed first.

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In my office, new patients are seen with the doctor first for records (radiographs, charting existing, etc.), comp exam, and treatment plan including which type of cleaning is needed (prophy or SRP). They are told an appointment time 15 minutes prior to their “actual appointment” to keep us on time. Like Sally316, my office runs on schedule and this allows us to keep it that way! Just because you are the newest hygienist to the office doesn’t mean you don’t have ideas on office efficiency so don’t be afraid to make suggestions! I think it actually adds value to you. Keep it professional and emphasize the fact that being efficient saves time which equals money.

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I hate that. In one of my offices it works out well because the appointment time given to the patient will be 2:45 for a 3:00 appt from the getgo and the patient is told that the hygienists run on a strict schedule so if they’re more than ten minutes late they cannot be seen. That seems to do the trick.

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In my office the new patients are scheduled with Dr and the assistants first for comp exam and FMX prior to seeing me. This allows Dr to spend enough time with them amd allows for time with paperwork. Then I see them for hygiene and perio charting. Works really well with staying on schedule. We also let the patient know when they schedule that they will be in the office for about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours for everything.

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In my office, we do a FMS, pan x-ray, cleaning/prophy, fluoride and exam. we are given 1.5 hours for this appt. The front desk asks the patient to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier for paperwork and usually they are finished in time. My office is very good about bringing people back for more cleaning appointments, especially with new patients (USUALLY the case is that it has been several years since their last dental appointment, therefore might need at least another scaling appointment.) We have also tried doing the records and exam in the dentist’s chair which also works great, and they book an hour for that then an hour in the hygiene chair which is awesome for us. Both have been working pretty well. I’ve only been practising a year so I am always appreciative to have more time to educate and talk with the patient alongside scaling. I also like the idea of the new patient exam/perio charting first. that would be great to educate, explain our findings, etc without feeling like you have to rush through so many things during the initial appt!

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In my office all new patients are sent forms to fill out before they come in. If the patient has not filled out the forms, we try contacting them as a gentle reminder and even ask that they come in earlier than the appointment time. I think this helps. In my office we also see all new patients for 2 hours unless the patient refuses and has to be seen in less time. This way we can do a comprehensive exam and prophy etc on the patient without rushing.

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In my current office, we have the paperwork available online so they can fill it out beforehand and then email us which we import into our system, so we ask those patients who do that to come in 10 minutes early just to sign for consent and HIPPA. Those who don’t do the paperwork we ask to come in 15-20 mins. early. We all know this doesn’t always go as planned, the patient forgets or runs into traffic, etc. etc. Maybe at your next office meeting, suggest putting a policy into effect that states what to do when a patient shows up late and how to notify them of your late policy (rescheduling). I run into this a lot, I try to do what’s best for our practice and what our schedule looks like. If I feel the patient won’t want to return if we make them reschedule, I try to work with the assistants to help me with my next patient in case I run over my time with the new patient.

My office allows 90 minute NP comp.exams, FMX, perio and dental charting, and possible prophy if that’s the diagnosis. If SRP is indicated, we give them the option to start that day or to come back for 2 quads at a time. It’s your license on the line, don’t ever compromise it because a patient is late or in a hurry to leave!

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